Technical information

© CLEAPSS 2005 1607 ICT in the Science Department
Table 16.1 Computers and their displays (continued)
Type of computer or
display
Advantages Disadvantages
Desktop LCD
1
display
Compact, visually pleasing. Leaves
more room on benches for practical
work. Light-weight, so can be
mounted on a shelf to keep bench
clear.
Not very robust, somewhat narrower
viewing angle than most CRT displays, so
may be less suitable for group work. More
expensive than equivalent resolution CRT.
Laptop (Notebook)
computer
Compact with integral display and
keyboard, taking up less bench
space.
Secure storage can be out of sight
(eg, on a trolley locked in a cup-
board), when labs are unattended.
Some trolleys provide automatic
recharging of laptop batteries.
May be used easily away from the
laboratory, such as for field work.
Integral rechargeable battery,
avoiding need for continuous mains
power.
Expensive (around twice the price of the
equivalent specification desktop with CRT
display).
Common target for theft if left unattended.
Not very robust; prone to damage.
Takes time to set up at the beginning and
end of lessons, if stored elsewhere.
May be completely wrecked by a spill over
the keyboard.
Connections for interfaces often limited.
Rechargeable batteries have limited life
and are expensive to replace.
Repair is difficult, usually impossible within
the school. Spare parts are usually
expensive and specialist service is time-
consuming.
Tablet computer
Comments as for laptops above.
A robust screen, on the lid of this
type of laptop computer, is designed
for data input using a stylus.
Usually the screen can swivel, in
order to allow the tablet computer to
function as a traditional laptop
computer.
Comments as for laptops above.
The screen-swivelling mechanism may be
prone to damage by rough handling.
Palmtop or personal
digital assistant (PDA)
Very compact.
Easy, secure storage (possibly in a
slotted rack, so that numbers may
be checked easily).
Class sets are easy to transfer
between labs.
Integral rechargeable battery,
avoiding need for continuous mains
power.
Display is small and may be low
resolution.
Data entry is difficult with a small touch
screen. Keyboards, where fitted, are not
very robust.
Generally more prone to damage with
rough handling.
Pupils may not be familiar with the
operating system.
Data will often need to be transferred to
desktop computers anyway, eg, for
integration into pupils’ reports.
Very common target for theft.
1
LCD means Liquid Crystal Display, the more modern technology now used in many flat-panel television displays.